'Don't Jump' English lyrics debate

[Uchiha Helenaka]

Hey guys! Me and a friend are having a bit of a discussion over the ‘Don’t Jump’ lyrics, particularly about the ‘And if all that can’t hold you back, then I’ll jump for you’ bit.

‘Does anyone else think the line should be "Then I'll jump with you" instead of "Then I'll jump for you"? Personally I think it makes more sense because if you jump for someone you love, aren't they more likely to jump now that you're gone too?? Oh well that might just be me... ‘Is what she said

My response:

‘I think it makes sense as ‘I’ll jump for you’, because then it shows that you love the person who is going to jump so much, that YOU’D rather have their problems/jump to save them. Which I think sounds cuter.

Her response:

The song says
And if all that can’t hold you back,
Then I’ll jump for you

I, basically, think it means that, even after everything Bill has done to try and stop them from jumping, if they still jump then Bill will jump too.

The words ‘for you’ are meant to be portrayed as ‘after you’

My response to that:

That could be true. However, everyone perceives lyrics differently.

But this song was written for the fans, because TH said they got lots of letter talking about personal issues, and Bill felt like he had to write a song for the fans going through stuff. 'I'll jump for you' symbolises that he DOESN'T want the fans to do something stupid, like literally jump, whereas 'I'll jump after you' could say Bill doesn't care, when he does. It's all up to you how you see it- that’s just my view xD

What is your opinion, guys?

[starrystar101]

That's interesting

I never thought of it like that before, both make good points

For me, it kind of means, I would rather die and you be alive then be alive with you dead so to speak

But I agree that it does kind of fit, I'll jump with you. It kind of shows that he wants the character in the song to not be alone, even if he's about die, they'll die with someone

[Mikey]

I think "I'll jump for you" is more suitable, purely because "jump with you" is only stating that he's given up and letting you jump (only he's coming with you). The idea is for people NOT to jump, and "jump for you" is sort of saying "I'll jump instead of you", meaning that you shouldn't jump. If he jumps with you, then you're jumping anyway, and he's wasting his time! I'm also sure the lyrics were thought about carefully, and I think the right ones were chosen.

[liz]

I think it really depends how you look at the song and it's meaning.

Personally I don't view it as someone speaking to / about someone else. I see it as one person, viewing their own situation and thoughts. I think the way the video was filmed suggests the same. I know alot of people have said it should have been Tom running up there to save him, which is all very cute, but actually, that would have been a very ignorant thing to do. Not everyone has someone who would do that for them. Incredibly sad, but true!

The contemplation of suicide is probably the lonliest place in the world. Most people who find themselves there are way past the point where they believe anything anyone else says to them can help. On the edge of that building, there is really only one person left who can talk you out of it - and that is yourself!

I think Spring Nicht is about finding your inner strength - about finding the person inside of you who really wants to live!

Of course, this is only my own perception of it, but for me, "I'll jump for you" is a metaphor. Like, maybe part of you has to jump - but not actually jump - like, jump mentally, so that part of you can find the strength to live on also.

[tokiohoteluk]

I agree 100% with Liz. Really great analysis of the song, Liz. I also think that Pev's analysis of the song is good. I mean, I thought of it in terms of someone jumping to save the other person as well. When you love someone you don't want them to commit suicide. It's rare that any couple would contemplate double suicide. I thought of it more of showing how much they would do to keep that person alive. But, I like Liz's interpretation better and it fits more with the video - of it being about one person needing to save themselves.

Claire

[Mikey]

Seeing those last two comments, I do also agree that Bill running to save himself in the video symbolises how he (representing others in such a situation) has the power to stop himself. I also think that how he runs around like a ghost sort of symbolises how he is almost a 'concience' that is fighting to stop the Bill on the roof. As the ghost-like Bill gives up at times throughout the video, it may symbolise how the person in the situation of suicide may think about giving up. But then, I have my own view, but I think part of the idea of Tokio Hotel's lyrics is for the fan to see them personally, and I think part of the aim is for each individual fan to make of the lyrics and video what they will and whatever suits them personally.

EDIT: I'd like to back up my point of how the song can/should be seen how the listener wants to personally, as it is a main purpose of this song, and it has a strong meaning. I think that if the meaning is understood, then the song as a whole is, and the other views don't really matter (well they do, but the main thing is the meaning).

[midori]

The line should definitely be "for you". I think having used "for" rather than "with" makes it a very meaningful and strong finish to the song, lyrically. I see how it can be confusing e.g. as you wrote that a person might be more likely to jump too after you jumped for them. However, if you were to look at the song with having two people in mind then I would agree with what Pev said, that it's more about jumping instead and not together because then all the effort made to prevent them from jumping would have been meaningless. Looking at the song as being about two people and then thinking about the line ‘And if all that can’t hold you back, then I’ll jump for you’, one could also consider what Liz said:

Most people who find themselves there are way past the point where they believe anything anyone else says to them can help.

Combined with what Claire thought about, that after trying to talk them out of jumping very hard, it might still not be enough. It might not be enough to safe them because they don't believe in it and then you'd jump for them to make them understand just how much you love them and need them to stay alive so that you'd sacrifice your own life (and ideally maybe take their pain or whatever caused them to contemplate suicide down with you). It's not very logical but looking at the song from that angle, I think, it would be more about the ultimate gesture rather than making a lot of sense.

However, I completely support Liz' interpretation because I think that's the best way of looking at the song and the video.

[Mikey]

That seems a suitable conclusion

[Amiee♥TH]

I'm going with what Liz said, cause I remember back in April we had a big discussion about it too and we both kinda came out on the same conclusion.

[Soubi]

I've read this somewhere before:

Usually by the time a person gets to the stage of thinking about suicide as an option they are not able to evaluate their options in an objective manner. If they weren't in such great distress many would choose a different option. A lot of suicidal people give out warning signs in the hope that they will be rescued. Most just want an end to the never ending emotional pain and hurt, not to die.



(rofl as I went to type Don't Jump came on :') )

Personally, I believe that in context to the lyrics this person is running away from everyone and almost finds everyone against them, running anywhere to get away from it all as they're in so much pain and suffering from what is happening around them, or in their mental state.
I believe the chorus is almost like the voice of reason, trying to reach out, pull what sense they have left back and pull them through it.

however I've gone off on a damn tangent -_-
The last line in my perspective is the voice of reason, sacrificing itsself to try and save the being that is left, giving up everything to try and let this person survive, suggesting that they were never in it alone, and to never give up hope however after they jumped they would be alone as the voice of reason would have gone.
However. I am rambling, and probably not making sense anymore, so lets just say, I agree with Liz